US envoy walks out of UNSC meeting after French criticism of human rights stance
The United States has walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting after France criticized Washington's opposition to extending the mandate of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
Dan Negrea, the US alternate representative, said that Washington would persist with such protests until France changed its approach.
“The United States exited the chamber during the French statement and will continue to do so until they renounce their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric,” Negrea said.
He described France's remarks as “politicized drivel” and “disingenuous grandstanding.”
The walkout followed a tense exchange over the weekend between the two permanent Security Council members on X, concerning the extension of Turk’s mandate, with Paris criticizing Washington over its opposition to the matter.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz responded by accusing France of supporting a human rights chief who criticizes what he called democracies “like the US and Israel” while “cozying up to the world's worst oppressors.”
General Assembly extends Turk's mandate
Despite the opposition, the UN General Assembly on Friday voted overwhelmingly to extend Turk's mandate for four more years.
The proposal, submitted by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, was approved by 144 member states, while 10 voted against and 13 abstained.
Turk has been an outspoken critic of the Israeli regime's aggression in Gaza. He has also called for investigations into deaths in US immigration custody.
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The Israeli regime likewise opposed the extension. The United States has warned that it could reassess its funding and engagement with the United Nations over the issue.
Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment on the US delegation's decision to leave the Security Council chamber, but said the United Nations expected all member states to respect decisions adopted by the General Assembly.
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The dispute over Turk's second term comes amid broader tensions between the Trump administration and the United Nations, with Washington having reduced funding for UN agencies and withdrawn from dozens of UN bodies.
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